Thursday, August 30, 2012

Based on the results from the Orange Township community recreation center
survey (itself a $55,000 cost to the taxpayers), 1/6 of the 1,500 households
surveyed favored having health club memberships subsidized by their neighbors
(the study reports only 46% of the 559 survey respondents favored a rec
center).

One of those seeking a handout, former township trustee Mark Robertson,
said $96 a year for the bond issue is not too costly to homeowners. Maybe not to
him, since he will be getting the benefit. But for those not planning to use the
facility (the majority of the township), a $96 transfer from their wallets to
Robertson's personal recreation fund is costly indeed.

Of course, Robertson could seek his handout directly by knocking on doors near his
home, but such an approach would expose his aim. It is always much cleaner -- more
sophisticated -- to have an issue placed on the ballot. That way he, and those
also seeking a benefit at the expense of others, can position their gain as some
sort of public good.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Last week we camped at Van Buren State Park in Michigan. The park has sand
dunes that reach some 100 - 120 feet above lake level. There are a few rope
swings on top of the dunes -- all illegally placed, for certain.

One day, as we sat at the bottom of the dune (I found a Youtube video that
shows the dune in question), there was some commotion. Two very large MI DNR
employees came racing down the beach in quad runners and proceeded
to attempt to ride up the dune, quickly bottoming out as the
tires on the overloaded vehicles sank deep into the sand.

I asked what was going on.

One DNR officer replied that a young child had injured her neck after
falling from one of the rope swings. Not knowing if the child was one of mine, I
raced to the top of the dune. A young girl lay motionless in the
shade of a log while other adults kindly tended to her, waiting for professional
assistance.

Our two public heroes trudged up the sand, both surrendering less than
halfway to the top. They stood bent over, desperately inhaling air, unable to speak coherent
directions to the forthcoming EMS guys -- who, by the way, easily raced up the
dune, carrying back brace and sled.

Later, I jokingly told my brother-in-law I was going to review the official
report. I wanted to make certain the DNR guys did not state they arrived on the
scene. In the vicinity, maybe. But certainly not on the scene.

I vaguely remember officers having to pass annual physicals. But that was
before public employee unions overthrew the taxpayers.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

I would like my neocon Christian bothers to realize the US has suffered (to date) almost as many military casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan as were suffered in the Revolutionary War. In promoting the supposed wars, neocon Christians have cheered the spilling of blood, as well as the commissioning of all the other atrocities associated with war.

But for what? For the god of democracy -- the Baal of the Neocon Christians. And for these words (from the constitutions of Iraq and Afghanistan):

Iraq Constitution:

Article 2 First: Islam is the official religion of the State and is a foundation source of legislation:
A. No law may be enacted that contradicts the established provisions of Islam

Article 92Second: The Federal Supreme Court shall be made up of a number of judges, experts in Islamic jurisprudence, and legal scholars, ...

Afghanistan Constitution:

Article One
Afghanistan shall be an Islamic Republic, independent, unitary and indivisible state.

Article Two
The sacred religion of Islam is the religion of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Followers of other faiths shall be free within the bounds of law in the exercise and performance of their religious rituals.

Article Three
No law shall contravene the tenets and provisions of the holy religion of Islam in Afghanistan.

When confronted with these words, can neocon Christian still cheer? Is the god of democracy really the savior of souls?